Chapter 103: The Diamond Demon-Subduing Circle

Popular recommendation: Shaolin Temple.

The monks were shaken by Lu Li's momentum, and for a moment, the area around the temple gate fell into dead silence.

The old monk who had previously spoken up to test Lu Li was named Wuxiang, and he was the Head of the Dharma Hall.

Monk Wuxiang was filled with rage, thinking that for a thousand years, who had dared to be so disrespectful to Shaolin? Even if the Bright Venerable guarded Tongguan and had thousands of troops behind him, and possessed high-level martial arts himself, he absolutely could not be allowed to weaken Shaolin's reputation from this day on.

Thinking that ordinary disciples were definitely no match for Lu Li, Zen Master Wuxiang turned back and shouted to the Dharma Hall disciples: "Fetch swords!

We shall personally experience the Bright Venerable's martial arts."

In fact, various weapons had long been prepared in the temple, but it was inconvenient to take them out while everyone was lined up to welcome guests.

Now that the disciples heard Wuxiang's order, they turned and entered the temple, and after only a moment, they brought out seven or eight long swords.

Several disciples carried the long swords in their hands to Lu Li and said: "Does Lay Buddhist Lu wish to use his own precious sword, or our temple's ordinary weapons?"

Lu Li chuckled: "The one in my hand is no precious sword either; it is merely an ordinary iron sword from a Tongguan blacksmith shop that costs thirteen taels of silver."

"However, to avoid you making excuses after losing that I used a precious sword, I shall use yours.

Besides, the swords from my Tongguan are for killing Tatars; using them against you would be a waste of talent."

Zen Master Wuxiang took a long sword and flicked his finger against the blade; the humming sound lasted for a long time.

With the sword in his hand, his momentum suddenly changed.

Zen Master Wuxiang was, after all, the Head of the Dharma Hall of Shaolin Temple; in terms of martial arts prowess alone, he was likely even above the Shaolin Abbot Tianming.

Seeing this, Guo Xiang whispered a warning: "Big Brother Lu, do not be careless; this person's martial arts may not be below those of the Huashan crowd."

Lu Li nodded and said: "No matter, I was just looking to experience Shaolin's swordsmanship."

They saw Zen Master Wuxiang form a sword formula with his left hand and push it out levelly, the fingers of the formula pointing upward, while his right hand held the sword pointing toward the sky, motionless—it was exactly the move "Immortal Points the Way."

On the other side, Lu Li drew his long sword and held it casually in his hand.

Seeing Lu Li's action, Zen Master Wuxiang thought the other party was looking down on him.

He pointed his long sword diagonally and suddenly launched an attack.

Swish, swish, swish!

The old monk's moves were rigid, fierce, and ruthless, attacking the enemy's vital points with every strike; it looked as if there was no Buddhist compassion at all.

On the other side, Lu Li parried with his sword; as he raised his sword, he seemed to be full of openings, which drew Zen Master Wuxiang's swordsmanship to become increasingly fierce, yet every sword strike was miraculously blocked by Lu Li, as if those openings had never existed in the first place, or rather, as if those openings had been exposed specifically for Zen Master Wuxiang.

Zen Master Wuxiang was in the midst of it and could not yet see clearly; seeing the openings all over Lu Li's body, he was overjoyed and unleashed his swordsmanship to the extreme.

In the blink of an eye, Zen Master Wuxiang had performed over twenty exquisite sword moves, yet he could do nothing to Lu Li.

Suddenly, his swordsmanship changed into a rapid assault, and the sound of clashing weapons became like dense rain.

Chan Master Wuse's sword light was like mercury pouring onto the ground, dancing so densely that not even wind could pass through.

Yet, in the midst of such dangerous sword light, Lu Li suddenly sighed.

The next moment, Lu Li slashed out with his sword.

A sudden wind rose, and the dense rain ceased.

This sword strike was solemn and majestic, carrying the killing intent of thousands of troops.

Everyone even felt that this sword strike faintly resonated with the Songshan mountain beneath their feet.

In fact, this sword strike was precisely the Songshan Sword Momentum that Lu Li had comprehended in the Smiling Proud World.

The Songshan Sword Art was inherently solemn in momentum, like long spears and halberds.

And having fought in Tongguan for several months, Lu Li had pushed the killing intent within this sword to the extreme.

With one slash, thousands of troops were forced to retreat.

Zen Master Wuxiang only felt a flash of sword light before his eyes, and his entire body was involuntarily frozen.

When he came to his senses, the long sword in his hand had already snapped into two pieces.

In this battle, he had lost.

The ordinary pilgrims nearby only felt the sword Qi rushing toward them, piercing them with a chill that went through their entire bodies, and they could not help but retreat.

But experts like those of Shaolin Temple and Guo Xiang were increasingly shocked the more they thought about it.

Chan Master Wuse of the Luohan Hall could not help but sigh: "Amitabha!

I never expected that Lay Buddhist Lu's swordsmanship had already reached such an unimaginable realm."

Guo Xiang said: "Big Brother Lu,

Your swordsmanship is even stronger than it was three years ago!

This old monk's swordsmanship is rigid and fierce; it should be Shaolin Temple's Damo Sword Technique.

The final rapid assault should be the Veda Subduing Demon Sword? But Big Brother Lu, you should have never seen this style of swordsmanship before, yet you were able to see through its essence in an instant and win with one strike."

"Impossible."

Zen Master Wuxiang said: "You must have secretly studied our Shaolin swordsmanship, otherwise it would be impossible to break my swordsmanship so easily!

Moreover, I had the advantage earlier; I suspect you were waiting for me to use specific moves so you could break them."

Chan Master Wuse sneered: "I admire Lay Buddhist Lu's cunning."

His implication was that Lu Li had been calculating and scheming, and he did not respect Lu Li's swordsmanship.

Lu Li laughed: "A frog at the bottom of a well."

"I have never seen your swordsmanship.

But when you unleashed your first sword, you had already exposed your Sword Dao aura.

I tried using some openings as bait, constantly stimulating the power of your swordsmanship, just to see the power of Shaolin swordsmanship."

"Heh, and upon seeing it, it is nothing more than this."

Lu Li shook his head slightly: "Your swordsmanship today is better than usual, so you must have made progress, right? You think you performed beyond your usual level on the spot, but you do not know that it was I who allowed you to perform beyond your level."

Once these words were spoken, Zen Master Wuxiang's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat suddenly soaked his robes behind his back.

He was indeed, just as Lu Li had said, performing the best swordplay of his life today.

Zen Master Wuxiang was secretly pleased, thinking to himself that he had temporarily tapped into his potential during the battle, achieving another breakthrough in his martial path.

Yet at this moment, having it pointed out by Lu Li himself, his heroic performance was nothing more than something the other party had intentionally allowed!

In other words, the gap in swordplay between him and Lu Li was like that between the clouds and the mud.

"Every one of your sword strikes is within my control."

Zen Master Wuxiang was drenched in sweat, muttering: "Impossible!

There cannot possibly be such a person with such martial arts in this world."

Let alone him, even the monks of Shaolin Temple behind him, including Abbot Tianming and the others, did not believe what Lu Li had said.

It was only because Lu Li's words were too inconceivable.

If there truly were such martial arts in this world, then who could possibly be his match? Yet at this moment, only one person believed what Lu Li said, and that was Guo Xiang.

Guo Xiang had once seen Lu Li's swordplay with her own eyes at the peak of Huashan.

Sword Qi surged and crisscrossed, as if a celestial being had descended to the mortal realm.

If he were to exert his full strength and strike with a single sword, the wind and clouds would change color because of it.

Compared to the duel at the peak of Huashan, Lu Li had still held back today at Shaolin Temple.

That is to say, Lu Li had not used his full strength!

Because when facing a Zen Master Wuxiang, there was simply no need.

Lu Li shook his head and said: "Believe it or not, the fact remains that you have lost."

"Today I shall take this female friend of mine and enter Shaolin with our weapons; is there anyone else here who wants to stop us?"

Guo Xiang said: "It is not that I must enter your temple, but this precious monastery is biased against women, and there are far too many inexplicable rules and precepts!

I simply cannot stand the sight of it.

You must know that the Buddha's teachings are boundless and all living beings are equal; to arbitrarily distinguish between men and women, does that not merely create unnecessary obstacles?"

Abbot Tianming could be considered a high monk with true attainment.

His Zen heart was clear and bright, and he was broad-minded and tolerant; hearing Guo Xiang's words, he smiled: "Many thanks to the lay practitioner for the guidance.

My Shaolin Temple's rigid distinction between men and women does indeed appear petty."

"In that case, I invite Miss Guo and Lay Practitioner Lu to come in together for tea."

Guo Xiang pouted at Lu Li with a smile, her expression saying: 'How about that, this young lady is impressive, right? No need to fight; I was able to convince the old monk with just a few words.'

The Jianghu is not just about killing and fighting; it also involves human relationships and worldly wisdom.

Smashing up a place is vulgar.

There was a sense of playful banter between friends in that.

Who would have thought that Lu Li would point to the crowd of pilgrims who had retreated into the distance.

This group of people were the very pilgrims who had been unable to enter the temple earlier and were forced to wait outside the gate.

"What about them?"

Hearing this, Guo Xiang was taken aback.

She had been quite proud of herself for having just persuaded Shaolin Temple with her words.

But where her gaze looked, there were still only herself and Lu Li.

Although Lu Li's method was somewhat violent and crude, what he aimed for was not just one person or one sword, but all the people of this world!

Lu Li wanted everyone within the Ming territory, regardless of gender, to be able to enter Shaolin!

Abbot Tianming was also momentarily speechless upon hearing this.

He vaguely felt that what Lu Li said was correct; all beings are equal, and these pilgrims should also be allowed to enter together.

It is just that for visiting and worshipping the Buddha, Shaolin Temple should not block the masses.

But could the rules that all monks of Shaolin Temple had kept for a thousand years be changed just like that? Abbot Tianming was a person with a clear Zen heart and still thought this way, while most of the other monks subconsciously began to grow angry.

"Fine!

My Shaolin Temple is willing to concede and let the two of you enter, yet you still do not know what is good for you."

"Is being the Ming Venerable so remarkable? If we do not allow your lordship to carry weapons inside, is the Ming Venerable going to command thousands of troops to trample my Shaolin flat?"

Lu Li shook his head: "To trample you flat, there is no need for thousands of troops."

"I alone am enough."

Jianghu matters should be settled in the Jianghu.

Lu Li could certainly give an order and have tens of thousands of soldiers trample Shaolin flat.

He could, but there was no need.

Moreover, if he really did that, it would likely cause unpredictable turmoil, and the entire Jianghu would likely develop an irreconcilable misunderstanding of the Ming Army.

Do not forget, Lu Li is not a lone wolf now.

He is the Ming Venerable.

From ancient times to the present, in the struggle for hegemony and starting an uprising, reputation is very important.

Therefore, Lu Li would not let the Ming Army take action against Shaolin.

Besides, he simply did not need to.

Lu Li alone is already equivalent to, or perhaps even exceeds, a Shaolin.

Coming here alone this time, Lu Li also had the intention of gauging himself.

Back in the world of *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*, Lu Li was somewhat lacking when he confronted Shaolin and the Songshan Sect on Songshan.

But now, his internal energy far exceeds what it was before.

How would it be to deal with a Shaolin from the *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber* world? Shaolin Temple is the leader of the righteous path among the many heavens of the Jianghu, yet now it has temporarily become the standard for Lu Li to measure his own combat power.

One Lu Li =? Shaolin.

Seeing that Shaolin did not wish to let everyone enter, Lu Li immediately sneered.

"I just said it: the rules of the Ming Cult are the only rules.

From now on, Shaolin Temple must not arbitrarily separate men and women.

You are nothing more than monks in a temple with some reputation, but you are absolutely not high and mighty Buddhas."

Before him, the Ming Cult leader, Shaolin Temple must also be pulled down from its pedestal.

"Hmm, you surely do not want to agree to this perfect proposal.

Since that is the case, I will beat you until you agree."

Lu Li held his long sword horizontally, and a stern Sword Qi radiated outward.

"So, who is in favor, and who is against?"

Ah, this!

The Shaolin monks finally understood that Lu Li's intentions were not small.

Judging by his attitude, it seemed there was absolutely no room for negotiation.

Whichever monk did not submit, he would beat the entire Shaolin into submission!

Chan Master Wuxiang's state of mind had originally collapsed, but hearing Lu Li's words at this moment, he had already recovered from his recent defeat.

He had been beaten to the point of cracking by Lu Li, but he was worthy of being a high-ranking Shaolin monk, and he had stitched himself back together.

"Lu Li, if you want my Shaolin Temple to change the rules of a thousand years, you must bring out sufficient ability."

Chan Master Wuxiang shouted: "Although you defeated me, it is still not enough!

Only if you can break through my Shaolin Temple's formations will you have the qualifications to say these things."

It turned out that there were many important formations within Shaolin Temple.

For example, the famous 'Eighteen Bronze Men Formation', while the power of the 'Damo Twenty-Four Arhat Formation' was a level higher, and so on and so forth, the 'Thirty-Six Chambers' high monks... Shaolin's strength was profound, and there were even greater formations, such as the 'One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation' that Lu Li had experienced in the Smiling Proud World, and even the 'One Thousand and Eight Novice Formation'.

However, the latter type actually belonged to formations used for warfare; if used to deal with Lu Li alone, the formation would be too large, and with fewer targets, it would instead be cumbersome.

Especially Shaolin's Eighteen Bronze Men Formation, which was known to almost everyone in the Jianghu.

Rumor had it that the Eighteen Bronze Men Formation was responsible for guarding Shaolin and dealing with those who came to the mountain to challenge the school.

And if a Shaolin disciple broke through the Bronze Men Formation, they could learn higher-level martial arts.

Anyone who broke through the Eighteen Bronze Men was a hero whom Jianghu people would give a thumbs up.

But clearly, these formations were simply not enough to deal with Lu Li.

Lu Li laughed inwardly; if they couldn't win, they resorted to formations—was this a custom of Shaolin Temple? However, he was already used to it.

He did not even fear the thousands of troops and horses at Tongguan, so how could he fear Shaolin formations? Chan Master Tianming also spoke: "Amitabha!

My Shaolin has the Eighteen Bronze Men Formation, used to spar with martial arts practitioners.

But Layman Lu's martial arts are supreme, so I imagine passing this formation will be as easy as turning over one's hand."

"Besides this, my Shaolin also has a set of formations; although it is composed of only three people, its power is several times stronger.

Since Layman Lu wishes to reform the world, please break through this formation.

If Layman Lu cannot break through this formation, then do not mention this again for now."

A formation composed of three people? Lu Li suddenly thought of a formation that had appeared in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, but he did not know if his guess was correct. At this moment, Guo Xiang also curiously asked: "May I ask Abbot Tianming, what is the name of this formation?"

"Amitabha, this formation is named the Vajra Subduing Demon Circle."

Abbot Tianming said: "The three people within this formation are all monks of our temple with high-level martial arts."

"Layman Lu's internal energy is unparalleled; this formation requires the combined efforts of the three people with the highest martial arts in our temple.

Wuxiang, Wuse, and Wuwo, three uncles, please combine your efforts to form this Vajra Subduing Demon Circle."

Chan Master Wuxiang was the monk who had just been defeated by Lu Li.

But he was, after all, the Head of the Dharma Hall, and his martial arts attainments were among the top of Shaolin Temple's high monks.

Listening to Abbot Tianming's meaning, he could still rank in the top three.

Perhaps among the older generation of high monks, there were those whose martial arts attainments surpassed these three.

But those monks were already too old, and it was likely not suitable for a bloody battle.

After all, this battle concerned the honor of Shaolin and the rules of a thousand years, so it absolutely had to be fought with a belief of fighting to the death.

It really was the Vajra Subduing Demon Circle!

What Lu Li had guessed in his heart was indeed this formation.

He remembered that in the original Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, on the eve of the Lion-Slaying Hero Conference, in order to rescue his godfather, the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, Zhang Wuji had joined forces with Yang Xiao and Yin Tianzheng to challenge the Vajra Subduing Demon Circle.

But the three Ming Cult experts attacked with all their might, yet ended in failure.

And the White-Browed Eagle King Yin Tianzheng, because his True Qi was exhausted and he was at the end of his rope, eventually passed away.

In order to save Xie Xun, Yin Tianzheng was exhausted to death.

The impermanence of worldly affairs is nothing more than this.

And now, this formation had come before Lu Li, waiting for Lu Li to break it.

Interesting, a formation that even Zhang Wuji could not break—then let me be the one to break it!

Abbot Tianming said: "This formation is extraordinary and should not be deployed at the mountain gate; please, both of you, enter the temple."

Lu Li swung his long sword and said: "Please."